MLA Shirley Bond. (via Jessica Fedigan)Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond introduced her private member’s bill in Victora today (May 13) known as the Defibrillator Public Access Act, which could see an automated external defibrillator (AED) on every public premise in a community.
This includes places like airports and libraries, where the owner of that designated place would be required to install a defibrillator, while also keeping them maintained, inspected, and available for public use in case of an emergency.
Bond says cardiac arrest can happen to anyone at any time and having these pieces of equipment in close range would be ideal.
“If [cardiac arrest] does happen, time is of the essence,” said the B.C. Liberal in a social media post. “Call 9-1-1 immediately, perform CPR, and use an automated external defibrillator. That can make the difference between life and death.”
The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada says almost 40,000 cardiac arrests occur each year across the country, averaging out to one every 12 minutes.
If successful, the bill would also have owners post signs about the location of the defibrillator somewhere noticeable on the public property.
The information would also help emergency personnel, including B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) should they arrive on scene faster than expected.
“In British Columbia today, we do not have a comprehensive and coordinated process for public use of AEDs,” Bond further explained. “I’m looking forward to introducing a private member’s bill to close those gaps, to make sure that AEDs are registered and inspected, and that there is broader access to the public for the use of AEDs.”
According to BCEHS, there are 830 AEDs installed across the province used to save 'thousands' of lives.
Similar bills are currently in place for Manitoba and Ontario, with one that recently passed its first reading in Nova Scotia.
